Abia Assembly passes law to protect tenants from landlords, house agents

Abia State House of Assembly, presided over by the Speaker, Emmanuel Emeruwa, has passed the H.A.B 34 , sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Augustine Okezie and another lawmaker, Mandela Obasi, into law.

The law was established as  Abia State Property and Tenancy Regulatory Authority, to protect tenants in the State from any exorbitant or wicked activities of landlords and house agents in the State.

The law will also protect the rights of landlords in a situation where  tenants living in their houses become lawless or go contrary to agreements.

The new law became necessary following the outcry from tenants in Umuahia and Aba about the high cost of house rent for residential and commercial buildings.

It also followed the complaints where residents of the two major cities in Abia State accused the house agents of conspiring with landlords to jack up house rent.

The Abia State House of Assembly also passed a law to improve the criminal administrative system which would ensure speedy dispensation of criminal cases before the law courts.

The law, according to the Assembly, would provide fair hearing for all parties in criminal cases.

Similarly, the Abia State House of Assembly passed into law, justice restorative law where anybody who causes harm to their victims within Abia State are made to take responsibility for their violent actions.